Lavinia's serving success

Lavinia, 26, has been undertaking two qualifications at the TAFE Queensland Townsville (Pimlico) campus, gaining hands-on cookery and hospitality skills.

"The thing I enjoy the most about my training is cooking, I just love cooking!"

Lavinia and her classmates have been gaining vital hands-on experience preparing meals in the training kitchen and serving members of the public dining at the George Coates Training Restaurant.

"I love the way the kitchen worked together as a team during service hours to get dishes out on time," Lavinia said.

"It has been inspiring watching everyone in their element."

Lavinia said participating in a mocktail-making competition had been a highlight of her training.

"The mocktail we created was inspired by the tropics and called the Eccentric Pine," Lavinia said.

"As the competition unfolded, I was feeling nervous but I had a lot of fun with my team."

Lavinia has been studying a Diploma of Hospitality Management (SIT50422) and a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery (SIT40516), now equivalent to a Certificate IV in Kitchen Management (SIT40521).

Watch Lavinia and her teammates in action.